Page 93 of Before You Can Blink
Daisy’s sweaty, naked body slumped against mine, her hot breath fanning my neck as she panted out, “Couldn’t do that with the kids in the house.”
I was still trying to catch my breath, so my resulting chuckle came out raspy. “Should’ve kicked ’em out years ago.”
Fingers tangled in the damp strands of my hair, and I peered down to find my wife staring at me, a smile tipping up the corner of her lips. “This next part’s just for us.”
I banded my arms around her. “I like the sound of that.” Humming, I teased, “Was getting tired of sharing you.”
Earlier, I’d gotten lost in my head, mourning that a major chapter in our lives was now closed. And then in came Daisy, ready to remind me that there was plenty to enjoy in the one that lay ahead.
God, I loved that woman.
Chapter 21
Jett
Age 47
April
“Jett.”Theurgentwhisperingof my name was accompanied by a jostling of my shoulder.
I rolled over, mumbling into my pillow, “Too early.”
“There’s someone in the house,” Daisy hissed.
My eyes sprang open, but in the middle of the night, the room was so dark I couldn’t see a damn thing. “What?”
Switching on the bedside lamp, I found a wide-eyed look of terror on Daisy’s face, her gaze trained on the bedroom door.
Her throat bobbed on a thick swallow. “I heard footsteps on the stairs.”
“You sure?”
The house had settled ages ago, but every now and then, there were random creaks and squeaks that couldn’t be explained. In the springtime, it was often warmer during the day, with a rapid cooldown overnight, soit was entirely possible that the “steps” Daisy thought she heard were the pipes knocking due to the temperature fluctuation.
Eyelids narrowing dangerously, she fixed me with a glare. “Don’t try to make me out like I’m crazy. I heard boots on hardwood, clear as day.”
I dragged a hand over my face before swinging both legs over the edge of the mattress. “All right. I’ll go check it out.”
Grabbing my shotgun from the safe in the closet, I warned, “Stay here.” I highly doubted there was an intruder, but if—and that was a big if—there was, I needed her to stay safe.
Daisy scoffed. “Where else am I gonna go?”
“Do us both a favor, darlin’, and save getting lippy for when I have time to spank that ass of yours.”
Folding both arms over her chest, she shot back, “Any tips for how to light a fire under yours? Because the house is probably ransacked by now.”
My lips thinned, even if she did have a point. “Fine. I’m going.”
I twisted the doorknob slowly, pushing out into the hallway before silently latching the door behind me. With the shotgun held at my side, I turned the corner and groaned. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
Standing opposite me was Tripp, an unconscious Penny draped over his arms.
My twenty-year-old son’s eyes darted to my side, and an audible swallow sounded in the silence. Voice coming out strangled, he asked, “You fixin’ to shoot me, Dad?”
Fingers twitching on the cool metal handle of the shotgun, I was reminded of why I’d come out here, and my temper flared. “You’re damn lucky I didn’t! Scared your mama half to death sneaking in here.”
Averting his gaze, he had the good sense to look ashamed. “Sorry.”
